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Coach Nayelly Hernandez-Walker on Mentorship and Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future

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I strongly believe that if you were to talk to any squash player and ask them about their experiences, they would all appreciate the realm of opportunities that squash offers. Being a squash player means experiencing so many special things, such as traveling to unique places for tournaments, meeting new friends from around the world, and discovering your own potential.  For Coach Nayelly Hernandez-Walker, current assistant coach for the Columbia men’s and women’s squash teams, squash has enabled her to experience success and pride as both a player and mentor.  Coach Nayelly’s journey with squash began in Mexico with her father. After health issues of his own, Coach Nayelly’s father encouraged her and her siblings to exercise and stay active. What started as a fun activity for Coach Nayelly soon transformed into a competitive career. She quickly fell in love with the feelings of validation and accomplishment from both small and big wins. She said that some of the most rewarding as
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Hope Prockop on Gratitude, Community, and Fulfillment as an Official Referee

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     As many followers and life-long enthusiasts know, squash is an addictive sport that roots itself in its players' lives. It’s a sport that sticks with people and forms communities. Not only is it a game within four walls, but also one that exists outside of the court.       For Hope Prockop, a decorated player, dedicated coach, and now one of the few female Officials, squash has been the “melody of [her] life’s song” for over four decades. In a recent interview, Hope shared her reflections on her journey through the world of squash and highlighted the profound impact it has had on her life.  Hope playing at Squash on Fire      Hope was first introduced to squash at Groton School in 1982, where a math teacher introduced her to the game. From that moment, she was captivated, and squash became her enduring passion. Reflecting on her favorite aspect of squash, Hope emphasized her gratitude towards “the community of people (passionate, dynamic, diverse, young and not young!)...the e
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Alexia Clonda on Mindset, Negativity and Positivity, and Uplifting Others

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    It’s the 1983 World Squash Open. Australia’s women’s national team is seeded 4th. Approaching the tournament as the underdogs, no one expected them to win. But they did. Team Australia bested Team England to secure the title. Playing the 2 seed for the team is none other than Alexia Clonda.       The 1983 World Open was Clonda’s first time making the Australian team. In the individual category of the competition, Clonda entered as a low seed, only to achieve remarkable upsets to reach the semi-finals. Looking back on this cherished squash memory of hers, Clonda notes “for the team to depend on me twice was an honor. I do see it as a pressure, but it was for me. I was just showing what I was capable of doing.”       Clonda’s path to success began when she was 13 years old. Having had asthma since she was young, Clonda had no intention of pursuing sports when she decided to follow a friend to the local squash club for fun. Despite her initial lack of interest, she was immediately ro
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Riya Navani on Perseverance, Balance, and the Importance of Role Models

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  Riya Navani is a young model of elegance, athletic prowess, and inspiration. At only seventeen years old, Navani has been ranked #1 in the girls under 11, girls under 13, and girls under 17 divisions; #3 in the girls under 15 division; and currently holds the #2 spot for girls under 19. In addition, Navani was named a 2022-2023 High School All-American and has represented the US on multiple occasions, including in the esteemed British Junior Open and World Junior Championships tournaments.  Navani recently added another accomplishment to her list of successes, specifying this particular one as one of her most cherished squash memories and experiences. At the end of September in the first round of the Southwestern Open in Houston, Texas, Navani, playing as a wildcard in her second PSA Gold event, beat world number 45 Nour Aboulmakarim in a roller-coaster five game battle. Navani won the first two games, at the verge of a clean defeat, before Aboulmakarim came back to take the match
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The Box

“Match.”  This single, defining word spits from the referee’s mouth, cutting through the back glass wall. The consonants, loaded with meaning and despair, push their way into my ears. They immerse and embed themselves into my eardrums before registering in my brain.   My chance of success is gone.   My movements run with autopilot. Having done the same routine countless times, I barely think as I go through the customary motions that are expected of a good sportswoman after a match: A handshake and smile. Quick strides to the door before participating in a lighthearted conflict with my adversary about who leaves the court first, including a flurry of “Go ahead,” “You first,” “I insist,” “No, please.” Eventually, one of us surrenders with a laugh and exits the battlefield.    The friendly gestures and expressions feel sharp and bitter as they leave my body. It feels like an act, tasks on a checklist.   After crossing the glass door, I respectfully shake the hands of the two referees.  
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